Saint Paul Farmers’ Market Selected as a 2026 National Farmers’ Market Week Spotlight Market
The community is invited to celebrate National Farmers’ Market Week with us at the Downtown St. Paul Farmers’ Market on Saturday, August 8th, from 9 AM to 12 PM.
Saint Paul, MN —08/05/2026 — Saint Paul Farmers’ Market is proud to announce its selection as one of the Minnesota Farmers’ Market Association’s (MFMA) 2026 National Farmers’ Market Week Spotlight Markets, recognizing its commitment to supporting local farmers, strengthening the local food system, and creating a vibrant gathering place for the community.
National Farmers’ Market Week, celebrated August 2–8, 2026, is an annual nationwide celebration established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to recognize the important role farmers’ markets play in supporting local agriculture, expanding food access, fostering entrepreneurship, and building stronger communities.
As one of nine Spotlight Markets selected from across Minnesota, Saint Paul Farmers’ Market will join communities statewide in celebrating this year’s campaign theme:
Growing Strong Together
Growing Farmers. Growing Markets. Growing Communities.
During the farmers’ market, visitors are invited to experience everything that makes Saint Paul Farmers’ Market unique—from meeting local farmers and discovering fresh, locally grown foods to supporting small businesses, connecting with neighbors, and celebrating the people who make our local food system thrive.
“We are honored to be selected as a spotlight market for National Farmers’ Market Week. After 172 years in the Saint Paul community, we are excited to keep innovating fresh ideas to feed our community and support a resilient local food system,” said Executive Director Jim Golden
During National Farmers’ Market Week, Saint Paul Farmers’ Market will host the following celebrations and activities on Saturday, August 8th, 9 AM – 12 PM. There is free parking at 420 Prince St. E.
- Farmers’ Market Spring Rolls: samples & cooking demo by Chef Sina
- Craft Zone: Veggie Stamp Art + T-Shirt Painting
- Choo Choo Bob’s Train Activities
- Farmers’ Market Tent: Merch, Giveaways, and More!
- Live Music by Lost Golden Toads
The community is encouraged to join in the celebration by visiting the market, shopping local, meeting farmers, trying seasonal Minnesota-grown foods, and sharing their experience on social media using #NationalFarmersMarketWeek and #StPaulFarmersMarket
While this recognition highlights nine Spotlight Markets across Minnesota, the Minnesota Farmers’ Market Association emphasizes that every farmers’ market plays an essential role in strengthening Minnesota’s local food system. From small rural markets to neighborhood and urban markets, each creates opportunities for farmers and food entrepreneurs to thrive while providing communities with access to fresh, local foods and meaningful connections.
“National Farmers’ Market Week is about more than celebrating one market—it’s about celebrating the entire network of farmers, market managers, volunteers, vendors, and community members who make local food possible,” said Kathy Zeman, Executive Director of the Minnesota Farmers’ Market Association. “Our Spotlight Markets help tell the story of Minnesota’s incredible farmers’ markets, but every market across our state contributes to growing stronger communities.”
Saint Paul Farmers’ Market has been a staple of Saint Paul since the city’s early days. It served as the city’s first public market when the year-round market house opened in Downtown Saint Paul in 1854. Today, beneath permanent awnings, crowds gather every weekend at the Saint Paul Farmers’ Market to buy fresh veggies, fruit, dairy products, baked goods, preserved food, and more, all grown or produced close to home within 100 miles of the market.
Last year, the Saint Paul Farmers’ Market expanded its operations with a new Indoor Market and Country Store to serve as a home base for the local food system, as an incubator for emerging food producers, and a community gathering space. A large commercial kitchen provides space for bakers, canners, and other food producers. The country store stocks exclusively local farmers’ market products, including fresh produce, dairy, ready-to-eat, frozen, dried, and canned items, as well as other items made by local food producers. The space features a tortilleria and coffee shop serving ready-to-eat food in a casual dining hall. The Indoor Market expands access to local food 6 days a week, Tuesday-Sunday, from 7 am-3 pm.
National Farmers’ Market Week is celebrated annually during the first full week of August and recognizes the vital role farmers’ markets play in strengthening local economies, supporting family farms, improving access to healthy foods, and creating vibrant community gathering places across the country.